Food-grade mineral oil and thymol fog application as a natural alternative to treating honeybee mites

Project Overview

FNE08-641
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2008: $7,556.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Grant Recipient: Bee-mus Honey
Region: Northeast
State: New York
Project Leader:
Heather Kyser
Bee-mus Honey

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Animals: bees

Practices

  • Animal Production: parasite control
  • Education and Training: demonstration, on-farm/ranch research
  • Pest Management: integrated pest management
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture

    Proposal summary:

    The abrupt collapse of honeybee populations makes finding ways to address Varroa and tracheal mites increasingly urgent. The farmer will investigate whether a fog form of mineral oil and thymol, a natural plant extract, can be used as an alternative pesticide in a cost-effective, environmentally sound way. The results of the project will be disseminated through a producer publication, extension, a county association, and an on-farm demonstration.

    Project objectives from proposal:

     

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.